I'm still skeptical

It's not as if Honda has a history of putting out disappointing product, but even as a self-professed Honda fanatic I still can't get too excited about the CR-Z.

It seems like it's not sure what it wants to be. The power output isn't terribly impressive and yet the fuel economy isn't any better than what you would get out of a Fit. That said, I've yet to read any sort of driving impression and Honda may well surprise us all. The first Japanese buyers are taking delivery right now, so we'll see how it shakes out.

I caught this post on Autoblog yesterday about the requisite Mugen add-ons that are being released for the car. It's a kooky-looking vehicle, but I could see the aesthetics growing on me over time. I wish the nose was shorter though.

Full Autoblog article HERE

Kei Stylist

I just ordered some Ruckus jets from Kei Stylist and I wanted to point people in their direction.

Not a *ton* of selection in their store just yet, but they make up for it with incredible pricing. Anyone who needs jets or a headlight clamp or a few other things should definitely buy from there, you can't beat it.

Click their banner to head to the store:




Also, the proprietor (Kei) is working on an incredible Ruckus project. I love the merTECH fatty, Bullet Bill key, and custom seat. Here's a few shots and a link to his build thread on TotalRuckus.

Build Thread

Zerious Business

This post is really about Dennis' car, but before I get to that I have to plug his automotive art. He does INCREDIBLE work and everyone should go check out his site/store and pick something up. Man up and go for the canvas work.

Dennis' blog: HERE

Dsalni Drawn Store: HERE


With that out of the way, I can focus on what may well be my favorite S30 Z in the United States. Everything about this project screams "legitimate" and I can't wait for it to get finished. No knockoffs and no shortcuts, these are genuine NEW Watanabe R-types. Future plans for the car involve lowering the front a little more, 280z-->240z front end conversion, and some long term plans including maybe a G-nose and a swap.












Along with the S30, he also owns the following very intimidating-looking S14 that happens to have my favorite modern-era wheels ever.

Canibeat

I've been submitting material to Canibeat for about a month now. These guys have put together a fantastic site and I definitely recommend bookmarking and checking it every single day.

Also, they'll have NEW STICKERS soon. I've already ordered mine through the forum, the real deal will be a bright metallic.

Click either image to visit their site.

Submissions - 3

I've been wanting to get this up here for a long time, and it's the reason I'm currently searching for a clean RA1 Odyssey.

This is Teru's car. He is a friend of ki-ck from Submissions - 1

1998 Honda Odyssey with an HKS turbo kit, NSX brakes, DC2 ITR Recaros, and coilovers (NO bags). Definitely an "OEM+" theme.

Definitely more of a "sport van" vibe than the normal VIP kit you usually see, and I think it works really well. As you can see, he also carries his Ruckus around in the van. Looks like the rear seat was removed entirely in that shot, and it fits an extended Ruck without having to angle it at all (which means it'll probably fit two side-by-side).

The orange wheels are Weds TC-05 and the silver ones are ADR's. This is a "USDM" style build, so he's been through lots of wheels that are common here but very rare in Japan. I love the tuck. Enjoy!

His Minkara page got taken down because it got too much traffic after he did a Magazine shoot! Here's a link to his US Cardomain, check it out:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3104073


Send more submissions to SixSylinder@yahoo.com

Webmining - Fledermaus/Regina Toyota Vellfire

Fledermaus makes parts for both vans and kei cars, and their aero line is called "Regina". This is a Toyota Vellfire, which is basically an Alphard with a different front end and some interior changes (i.e. Levin vs. Trueno or Mk II vs. Cresta). Personally, I prefer the Vellfire headlights.

I *think* this is an actual photo and not a render. If you can tell, comment. Either way, I love the aero, stance, and wheels. They make INCREDIBLE custom interiors, but that's a post for another day.

Lets talk about Sachs

This Sachs moped belongs to Cookiemonster on TotalRuckus. I am absolutely in love with it, especially his killer custom gas tank and cafe bars.

He's got a few other very nice projects also, which I hope to post up here in the near future.

Here is a link to his build thread on TR: Sachs Cafe Moped

Submissions - 2

More reader submissions from Japan! This time from the guys at Shitamachi. I'm really digging this USDM-style Mirage/Lancer on the SSR Reverse Mesh (hasshy's car). Ideal stance, and I really like the exhaust. The Galant is LOW, although it's hard to tell from the pics because of the lighting and wheel color. This is Hiro West's car. Send me big pictures of the Camry!!!

Check out their site: Cannabis-Beer

As always, if anyone has any submissions, please send them to sixsylinder@yahoo.com

Not for resale

This is my favorite category of game stuff to accumulate, anything that was never available at retail to normal customers. Thus, I have a lot of store kiosk demo goods, like my aforementioned DS wifi demo carts and these Gamecube demos.

These are the multi-game demos that play(ed) in Gamecube store kiosks. They're supposed to go back to Nintendo when the store is done with them, but a few leak out. Easier to find than development gear though.

Webmining - K-Break

I'm on a Kei car kick lately, and this will undoubtedly be reflected in the content of posts here over the next couple weeks.

One of my favorite Kei tuners is K-Break, and so I thought I'd post up some of their work. They do VIP and Vanning projects also, as evidenced by the pictures.

Find them HERE

Do Work

Grinding away at Ruckus engine mount bushings. Probably going to order the PWJDM anti-flex kit, and so this was likely wasted effort, but I liked the picture.

Submissions - 1

A couple of weeks ago, I featured a Japanese Zoomer that the owner had converted into a USDM Ruckus HERE. The owner of that bike found this blog and made a post about it on his own Minkara Carview blog HERE. I found him via noticing that I all of a sudden was getting a lot of hits from Japan on Google Analytics.

At any rate, I encouraged him and his friends to send more pictures of their bikes/vans so I could put them up here. Going forward, if anyone thinks they've built something that I would want to show, send me content at sixsylinder@yahoo.com

ki-ck owns a Mazda MPV on airbags, the NPS50, and a very nice Zuma. Note the USDM touches to all items, such as Fatlace stickers, PWJDM goods, and US license plates.

I believe the MPV is on air. The last shot shows a couple RA1's that I hope to post more about in the future.


Thanks ki-ck!!

Tomica!

I already collect too many things, but that's never stopped me before. I scored these on eBay, and I'll definitely be trying to ramp up the collection as time goes by. No particular focus in regards to vehicle type, just no Hong Kong copies. Legit Tomica only.

FD2 CTR and Mugen RR meeting at Fuji

These are more shots from the same guy's page where I dug up the HKS Premium Day content.

He owns Mugen RR number 003 out of 300, modified with HKS Hipermax III dampers, Advan AVS Model T5 wheels, Feel's front widebody fenders, and other top-class goods. I really wish they'd sold the normal FD2 CTR and the Mugen RR in the US.

Looks like they did a little photo shoot before the festivities started at Fuji. I know the pics are all slightly different sizes, but I didn't have the patience to re-size.